Taoist priests in the supernatural world

Chapter 45 Wild Grass Mountain, Casting and Resolving Spells

"A pair of incense sticks and candles, two stacks of yellow paper, and a packet of gold ingots, right?"

In front of the Tiandao Temple, worshippers come and go, and people stop to buy things from time to time at the stalls.

Qian Hao shaved off his stubble and combed his hair into a neat slicked-back style. He looked much more energetic and was almost unrecognizable from the middle-aged man who had been contemplating suicide and looking dejected a few days ago.

With his head down, he deftly picked out incense, candles, and paper money for the guests, his hands and feet moving more nimbly than anyone else's.

"Two pairs, right?" Qian Hao asked, looking up. He then casually suggested, "Why don't you get bigger ones? Larger red candles burn longer and the incense smoke burns more."

"Then let's get the bigger one."

"Okay." Qian Hao looked down and flipped through the items, then suddenly paused, "Huh, out of stock, wait a minute."

He turned his head and called out to Xiaobai, who was bouncing a ball in the yard:

"Little White, go find your mother and ask her to go to the warehouse and get a pair of large red candles."

"oh."

Xiao Bai responded, dropped the ball, and ran into the yard with its short legs.

"Mother!"

Perhaps it was because Yang Feng had been staying at the Tiandao Temple for a long time, but she seemed much calmer than before.

Although he still occasionally gets distracted and his eyes still dart around, he is no longer as crazy and afraid of people as before.

Qian Hao continued to greet the worshippers at the front, occasionally pointing out the way for those who came to offer incense, showing them which side was the offering table, which side was for adding incense, and which side was for seeking peace charms.

Previously, Huang Bai caught a ghost late at night, and the news of that night spread quickly in the public housing area.

Now, not only the residents of this public housing estate, but also people from other places are starting to come here, saying that the newly opened Tiandao Temple is very effective.

After being busy until noon, Qian Hao finally had a moment to rest by the door.

Not long after, Huang Bai came out of the side hall and glanced at him.

"How are you doing? Are you getting used to it?"

"Hmm, it's alright."

"Keep it up, and you'll be able to pay off your debt in about fifteen years." Huang Bai patted Qian Hao on the shoulder, looking at him with a "I have high hopes for you" expression.

Qian Hao's expression froze for a moment, and after a while, he shook his head with a wry smile.

"I will definitely pay it back."

After a long silence, he said in a low voice:

"Thank you anyway."

That thank you was sincere.

If Huang Bai hadn't pulled him off the rope, he would probably be the new hanged ghost in 2442 by now.

Huang Bai waved his hand.

"You're welcome."

"If you really want to thank me, tell me your story."

Qian Hao raised his head and looked at the crowds coming and going outside the temple gate, his expression somewhat dazed.

"That all started with Uncle Ying thirty years ago..."

Uncle Ying was a descendant of Maoshan, but as times changed, his lineage gradually declined.

"Back then, I was a stuntman in Jackie Chan's stunt team. After we met, Uncle Ying planned to make a film about the stories of those who came before him, and I introduced him to the entertainment industry."

The two actors filmed a movie while simultaneously catching ghosts, and their half-real, half-fictional performances created an amazing effect that made the film an instant hit across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Then came Uncle Ying's death from cancer, the decline of supernatural films, and Qian Hao's career plummeting.

"Uncle Ying is a descendant of Maoshan, who was his master?"

"I think his name is 'Qiusheng'? That should be it."

Qian Hao frowned in thought. Too much time had passed, and his memory was gradually becoming blurred.

"I see." Huang Bai roughly understood.

Uncle Nine, a character in one of Uncle Ying's movies, was based on a real person.

"I'm leaving the affairs of the temple to you. I'm going out for a bit."

"Master, have you found Zhong Jiu?" Qian Hao called out to Huang Bai. "My kung fu is pretty good. If you find Zhong Jiu, I can help."

"Under investigation."

As the yellow and white figures gradually disappeared into the distance, Qian Hao roused himself once again.

He no longer sought death; Huang Bai's appearance gave him meaning in life, and he had something to look forward to.

Twin ghosts, evil zombies, and wicked cultivators—it's like a thrilling movie.

This is the meaning of life.

From now on, I will begin a new life, just like I did with Uncle Ying back then.

Inside the public housing.

Ah-you, having not done so for a long time, put on his Taoist robe and sat quietly waiting for Huang and Bai to come to his door.

His home does not have a shrine like Chung Kau's; it only has a spirit tablet of Master Huaguang.

Soon, Huang Bai arrived at the door.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Huang Bai said solemnly, bowing.

"Please sit down," Ayou said with a smile. "I've wasted too much of my skills over the years. Zhong Jiu's cultivation may have surpassed mine. I'll have to rely on you from now on."

"I'll try my best," Huang Bai said, not making any absolute statements.

Before I explain Maoshan magic, let me first talk about Maoshan techniques.

"The orthodox Maoshan lineage is almost extinct. The Maoshan tradition of the last two hundred years is a product of combining folk lineages, such as Meishan and Lushan, and is also known as 'Wild Maoshan' or 'Southern Maoshan'."

"The Maoshan sect is divided into several factions: the Five Thunder Maoshan, the Heavenly Heart Maoshan, the Three Mountains Maoshan, and our own Ghost Refining Yin Yang Maoshan. Rise up!"

Ah-you got up and stuck a yellow talisman on his chest.

"Take this!"

Ayou shouted, and the yellow talisman glowed with golden light, seemingly imbued with some mysterious power, as he threw a punch at Huang Bai.

The fist made a whooshing sound.

"Good timing."

Huang Bai went to greet him.

boom!

The two fists collided, creating a thunderous explosion in the air like firecrackers.

"what?"

Huang Bai was filled with surprise and doubt. He felt a tremendous force coming from him, and his body involuntarily staggered back several steps.

Such immense power.

The two exchanged blows for several more rounds. Chen You's strength was unbelievable, causing Huang Bai's fists to go numb and his tiger's mouth to turn red.

"This is a Maoshan technique—a talisman weighing a thousand catties."

Ah You tossed over a talisman and told Huang Bai to stick it on.

After applying the yellow and white stickers, he fought Ah You again.

This time, Ah-you's punch had no power at all, as light as cotton, and easily knocked Ah-you down.

"This is the Wanjin Tuofu, which is the solution to the previous one."

"The secret techniques of my lineage emphasize the principle of 'giving and receiving,' just as all things in the universe are mutually generating and mutually restraining. There is something that oppresses people, and there is something that relieves oppression; there is something that suppresses ghosts, and there is something that can dispel the suppression of ghosts; just as heaven and earth are mutually generating and mutually restraining, so too are magic techniques."

"Your magic is formidable, but you lack common sense in combat. If you don't understand the techniques of combat, you're likely to suffer a great loss."

Ah You got up from the ground. The yellow talisman on his body had long since turned to ashes. He patted the dust off his body and said.

"That's certainly true," Huang Bai agreed wholeheartedly.

If the solution had been known beforehand, Chung Kau could probably have been killed in a single strike.

Seeing that Huang Bai was listening attentively, Ayou's face became more serious.

"There is more than one way to cast and undo Maoshan magic. Even if you don't know the undo method, as long as you know the weakness of the spell, you can still break the spell."

"From now on, you'll be learning from me. How to recognize talismans, how to make hand seals, how to walk the steps, how to open an altar, how to dismantle a formation—you'll have to learn all of these things again."

Huang Bai lacks Maoshan magic registers, making it impossible for him to cast Maoshan spells, or the spells may not be effective.

When this lineage of Dharma was passed down to Ayou, the method of requesting the patriarch to grant him the ordination had long been lost.

However, once you learn the relevant solutions and the secrets to identifying the weaknesses of Maoshan incantations, you'll be pretty much set.

In the days that followed, Huang Bai came every day to learn about ritual steps, incantations, altar opening ceremonies, and ghost identification.

This is the only time I've systematically studied lineage knowledge since traversing several worlds.

Ah-you also taught very diligently.

Firstly, the lineage of the Dharma is declining, and it's really not easy to find someone who is truly willing and able to learn. Secondly, it's also because of what happened with Zhong Jiu; he still feels guilty about it.

Huang Bai learned quickly as well.

He had cultivated the Corpse Dissolution Immortal Technique, so his soul was already much more clear than that of ordinary people. Many things that others would need to practice for a long time, he could grasp seven or eight parts of the essence after just one look.

"Let's take 2442 as the topic. Once you decipher the layout of the haunted house, you'll have truly entered the inner sanctum."

Ah-you has a very high opinion of Huang-Bai.

It is expected that the relevant knowledge will be mastered within six months.

That night, Huang Bai arrived at the haunted house number 2442.

(Requesting monthly votes)